Scalia and Garner, for example, describe as “false notions” that the text is only the “best evidence” of intent; the court’s goal is to discover legislative intent; a statute’s spirit prevails over its letter; and that a statute should be construed to do justice. They similarly describe as a “half-truth” that considering the statute’s consequences guides sound interpretation.

The Court has also held that it is “not always confined to the literal meaning of a statute; the real purpose and intent of the lawmakers will prevail over the literal import of the words.” Caughman v. Columbia Y.M.C.A., 212 S.C. 337, 341, 47 S.E.2d 788, 789 (1948). See also Soil Remediation Co. v. Nu-way Envtl., Inc., 317 S.C. 274, 276, 453 S.E.2d 253, 254 (Ct.App. 1995)(“Where, however, there is something about the statute that makes it clear the legislature did not intend the letter of the statute to prevail, the court can consider the spirit of the enactment.”)